Obituary of Gwendolyn S. Brown

Gwendolyn S. Brown North Fort Myers, FL Gwendolyn S. Brown of 19147 Grenelefe Ct. 27E North Fort Myers, FL 33903 passed away peacefully on Monday, August 12, 2024. Gwen was the longtime companion of Tom Potter of 2631 West River Rd. Olean NY. She was born to Hector and Edith Sack on September 9, 1934 in Mishawaka, Indiana where she grew up. Following high school graduation in 1952, Gwen studied nursing at Northwestern University in Chicago. She finished her Bachelor's degree in San Jose, adding theater to her studies. She was awarded a full scholarship to Columbia University in New York City, finalizing a Master’s in professional nursing and teaching. She taught nursing at New York University and was an Associate Professor of psychiatry at Long Island University. At age 32, Gwen’s theatre career began. She was in five films including Breakin’ and Happy Hooker, featured with Lynn Redgrave. She acted in daytime Soaps. Gwen performed in off Broadway plays including in the Boom Boom Room at the famous agent Joseph Papp’s Public Theater in Manhattan and Lady Macbeth off Broadway. She was understudy to Meryl Streep in Secret Service followed by Boy Meets Girl directed by John Lithgow. Gwen did several plays in Los Angeles while she was a nursing Director at UCLA medical school for 11 years. She was given a best actress award for playing Hamlet in London. Gwen also did voice overs for Sesame Street. As a World traveler, Gwen had a passion for helping people. She used her skills to help victims of Hurricane Katrina and also helped set up three clinics in Haiti during years of active work life and an enthusiastic New York City lifestyle. In addition to Tom, Gwen is survived by two nephews and two nieces, all her other family having previously predeceased her.w A private memorial service will be held for family and closest friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Florida Repertory Theatre 2268 Bay St., Fort Myers Florida 33901 (www.floridarep.org). Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.